Pallet tiering frames



June 28, 1960 T. N. DE PEw ETAL 2,942,826

PALLET TIERING FRAMES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 10, 1958 THOMAS N. DEPEW AND RICHARD H. HEISE ATTORNEY J1me 1960 T. N. DE PEW ET AL PALLET T-IERING FRAMES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 10, 1958 INVENTOR.

THOMAS N. DE Pew AND RlcH A H. HEISE 5% FIG. IO

:ATTORNEY Units fiarss "Qiics Claims. (Cl. 243-120 This invention, relates in general to pallettiering frames.

and, more particularly, to frames of such character with uprights located outside the 'load-bearing'area of the pallets. This application is a continuation-in-part of our co-pending applications Serial Nos. 420,948, filed April 5, 1954, nowvPatent No. 2,828,932, dated April 1, 1958, and Serial No. 548,097, filed November 21, 1955, both being entitled Pallet TieringFrames, now Patent No. 2,828,933, dated April 1, 51958.

It'is an object of this invention to provide a pallet tiering frame comprised of a pair of identical sections having means for readily detachable, snap-fitting engagement upon the stringers of a pallet, whereby the uprights will be disposed beyond the periphery of the pallet, so that said pallet tiering frame may be engaged upon a pallet after the same has been fully loaded.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pallet tiering frame of the type stated which may be readily adapted to present the uprights either adjacent the sides or the ends of the pallet in order to selectedly permit unobstructed load-handling along the sides or the ends of the pallet.

, It is an additional object of the present invention to provide pallet tiering frames of the type stated having.

normally inwardly biased uprights whereby the same in operative position will be stressed for stabilizing engagement upon a pallet..

. It is a further object of the present invention to provide pallet tiering frames which incorporate novel means for transmitting the load imposed upon one frame to the up rights .of the underlying frame or frames in the particular tier.

It is a stillfurther object of the present invention to provide pallet tiering frames which may be adapted for use with any size or type palletrwhich may be fabricated most economically; and which are durable and reliable in usage. I

,Other objects and details of the invention will be apparent from the following descriptiomwhen read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a'perspective view of a pallet tiering frame constructed in accordance with and embodying the present. invention showing the frame in mounted disposition on a pallet.

Figure 2 is a top plan view.

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the foot portion of an upright of the frame illustrated" inlFigure 1.

Figure 4 is a'ho'rizontal view taken along the line 4 -4 of Figure 2.

'Figure 5 is a horizontal view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 4' showing the foot portion in lowered position.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a pallet tiering frame constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention, illustrating the same in mounted position upon a pallet, wherein the uprights are disposed adjacent the pallet sides.

relation to side plates 14, 15.

Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the foot portionof an upright of the tiering frame illustrated in Figure 5. I

Figure 8 is a perspective view of tiering frames of the present invention showing the same in pallet tiering relation.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a pallet tiering frame unit inunmounted or detached condition.

Figure 10 is a plan view of a pallet tiering frame of the present invention having another form of interlocking means.

In the drawings, 1 designates a conventional storage pallet having parallel side or outer stringers 2, 2' and a central or inner stringer 3, and upper and lower decks or platforms comprised of spaced, parallel boards 4, 5 respectively, in axially normal relationship to stringers 2,2, 3, and being suitably secured thereto, as by nails. It is to be pointed out that pallet 1 is not considered a part of the present invention, but is. merely representative of storage pallets in general, and although being illustrated as of the double-deck, flush stringer type, may, if.

desired, be of single-deck design, as well as having either flush or inset stringers.

Provided for detachable installation upon pallet 1 a tiering frame, indicated A, comprising a pair of identical component units 6. Each unit 6 includesapair of posts or uprights 7 for disposition proximate adjacentcorners of pallet 1; there being at the lower end portion of each post 7 a stringer-engaging foot member 8.

Secured to the upper end of each post 7 is the outer end" portion of a leg 9 of a generally U-shaped top member 10 being fabricated preferably of pipe stock and disposed in planar-parallel relation to pallet 1. At their ,outer ends, each leg projects a short distance beyond the point of securement to the associated upright 7 to provide a bearing extension 11, and at their inner ends, each leg 9 is continuous with an intermediate connecting section 12 having fixed therein a relatively long pin 13 projecting toward the opposite side of pallet 1 to that upon which the'related unit 6 is mounted, that is, in substantially axially parallel relationship to deckboards 4, 5. Provided adjacent each pin 13 is an axially parallel aperture .14

of comparable diameter to pin13 for snugly receiving the pin of the opposite unit. Since the component units 6 of frame A are identical, the pin 13 of one unit will be aligned with the aperture 13' of the other unit when said units are mounted on pallet 1, whereby the same may be interengaged in their top members 10 with abutment between the respective connecting sections 12' for mutual reinforcement to complete formation of frame A and firmly establish same for load support.

The foot member 8 at the lower end of .each post 7 constitutes a generally U-shaped bracket, fabricated of suitable sheet stock, comprising parallel side plates 14, 15 and an interconnecting Web 16 in planar perpendicular The foot members 8 of the posts of each unit open toward each other for embracing the opposite end portions of the intervningside stringer 2, 2, as the case may be. In engaged position on a stringer 2 or 2', the web 16 of a foot member}; will abut on its inner face against the end face of the stringer, with side plates 14, 15 presented respectively adjacent the outer and inner side faces of the related stringer. The distance between side plates 14, 15 should desirably be such as to abut against the confronting portions ofthe stringer, but contact is not requisite to provide stability of the units 6 laterally of the associated stringer. The height of foot members 8 is less than the space between the upper face of the lower deckboards 5 and theunder 7 face of the upper deckboards 4 to permit vertical slid-' ability with respect to the related stringer for'purpose's- 'to' form a stable, unitary support system. 7

As illustrated in Figures and-"8, the bearing memberby the posts 7 of the two units 6' will be aligned with the; adjacent ends of the side stringers 2, 2' and hence'dis-' posed beyond the end margins of'pallet 1, whereby the sides of pallet I are unobstructed, being open their entire length, for unimpeded. movement thereacross of loads to and from pallet 1. Furthermore, with posts 7 being presented beyond, or outwardly vof, the periphery of pallet 1, the full surface area thereof is available for loadreceiving purposes, being undiminshed by any portion of pallet tiering frame A. a

'With respect to the form of the present invention illustrated' in'FigureS-S and 6, it will, be' seen that posts 7 may, ifidesired; be secured to the outer face of side plate 14 of the relatedfoot member 8' whereby posts 7 will be presented beyond the outer side face of the associated stringers so as to present the end margins of pallet 1 in unrestricted fashion for end loading and load-removal. Posts Tof'each unit are resilient about their point of securement to their respective top member 10 forIrelative movabil'ity in a substantially horizontal direction and arebi'ased toward each other or inwardly of the end edges of the pallet, as may best be seen in Figure 8. Thus, to mount a tiering frame unit 6'. upon a pallet it is necessary to applytoutwardly. directed pressure against 7 theposts'7 to force same away from each other, beyond the pallet end edges in order to present their foot members Sfor engagement upon the ends of'the side stringers bottom edges of its bearing members 17 will rest upon such support'surface; thusthebottom edges-of the said bearing members 17 and the bottom face of the lowermost pallet will be coplanar, with the respective foot members 8 embracing the ends'of the adjacent stringers at po t relatively l vated. above those at which the foot members 8 of the upper'pallet tiering frames engage h p -strin er It is'inanit stthar the height of 2," 2'; with foot members being; snapped, or sprung, into 7 engagement upon the stringers upon release-of, the outwardly'di'rected' pressure on posts 7. Said posts are hence, stressed when in operative position whereby a snug,

surface-abutting contact is established between the web 16 of foot members 8 and the end faces of the side stringers, rendering component units 6 sturdy and. re: sistant to displacement. I

Each post 7' at its lower extremity, spacedly below its respective foot member 8, carries a short, downwardly opening, concave bearing member 17, which is axially perpendicular to its related post 7 and axially parallel- 10,: and substantially coextensive with, the bearingextensiqn ll'adjacent the upper end of 'said post 7. Each bearing member 17"is formed. on a slightly greater radius than that ofjthe' pipe stock from which bearing extensions 11' and, hence," top members 10 are fabricated.

Referring to Figure 8, it will'be noted that when p'aljlets 1," are 'tieredby use of the present invention, the

bearing member 17 of an upper pallet tiering frame will seat upon the proximate bearing extension 11' of 'the' pallet tiering frame immediately therebeneath, with the slightly increased radius of bearing member 17 assuring the formation of a firm joint.

bearing extensions 11. ,The load supportediby the posts 7 of an upper pallet 'tiering frame will be transmitted to 'ticular tier of pallets will be efiectively interconnected l'lof-a pallet tiering frameA in the upper'part of a tier will 'be located beneathtlie bottom faceof theassociated Thus, in effect, the bear-: ing members. 17' constitute a socket fonreception of pallet 1'- 'for disposition upon theun'derlying bearing ex- 7 tension H as, the, load upon such-upper frame A will have forced. the related post 7 downwardly; such downward movement being'breught'aboutby the downward sliding: of foot-members; 8 along the endsof side; stringers 2;,25, In connection withrthe pallet tiering frame on, the lowermostpallet-efrthetier, which latterrests firmly upon thevfloor or other. supportsurfacait is to be seen thatvthe' V the underlying bearing extensions 11, or edgewis'e' abutment uponthe floor, as the ease may be. More specifically, the combined height of, a foot member 8 and its related bearing member'17'm'ust not exceed the distance between the upper and lower deckboards so that the foot members 8 maybe shifted at least through. a distance equal to the height of: the bearing. ember 17, thereby assuring necessary range of adjustability.

7 From the foregoing, the installation of pallet tiering frames offthe'present' invention upon-pallets should be most evident but; for'clarity, it will'be observed that one component unit 6 will be, snappingly engaged upon a palletin the'rnanner above described; therepn, he companion component 6'will be interen'gaged in its top memher 0 y means oi. pins; 1d and. apern'lrl 1 to the'alr ady pallet-engaged ni and. sub equent to such 1 e sement. the, foot. pqr ions of hecempanion ni il then. be. sprun ber 10' for the units of a pallet tiering frameAf of the character des ribed abnvetis shown, having legs. 9." and a connecting portion 12 whichaiar'e imilar inallj respec s to) thetop member moftrame A. Fixed inthe connect,- ing portion 12 of each; top. member 10.," and, extending. therefrom for reception within a complementary apert re.20- in-theether'tonmemherm is apinzzm thef xi f which-is non=parallel to. he axis of the ckbnards of Pal e By his arrangement, the; top m mbers '10., when engaged, willbe. resistant to, partinghrough any directly outward forces, ;such as might be developed through superimposed loads, since such forces would only cause the pins, to become. more. tightly received theirrespective apertures, 2.0.v 'IIhus, toefiect dis;

engagement, a twisting, and, outward. force. would, be

required. 7 p a V a It shouldsbe understood; that: change ndmodificatiQns in the, fQr-matiQn, 'constmetion, arran em nt, nd

combination oi the several parts ofv th pallet tiefina frames may bemade and/substituted for these herein shQWll an described. without-departing from the nature and'prin ipl i ourinventiont Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Batent; is

1;. A timing-name adapted; :for. u e withstorag p lle having a plurahty etis aced apartnpper and lower, derbboards secured uponv axially parallel stringers and comprising'aepair otrsectinns; earthsesfian empr ingal p of spaced posts and a top member interconnecting the tops of theposts, said: posts: beingadapted tgrbe located into operative position, on the opposite stringer.v As hrnught ut nereinaheve, by he uniq e construction presented. herein. the full s rfa rea o boards, each of said posts of each section being resilient for expansive outwardly directed movement with respect to the respective top member for presenting the associated bracket for retaining engagement with the stringer.

2. A tiering frame as described in claim 1 wherein each U-shaped bracket comprises a web portion for disposition, in operative position, on its inner face against the end face of the adjacent stringer and side plates for disposition on opposite sides of the adjacent stringer said web portion and said side plates being of less height than the engaged stringer whereby the same are vertically shiftable thereon between the deckboards, the U-shaped bzgckets of the posts of each section opening toward each 0 er.

3. A tiering frame adapted for use with storage pallets having a plurality of spaced apart deckboards secured upon axially parallel stringers and comprising a pair of sections, each section comprising a pair of spaced posts and a top member interconnecting the tops of the posts, means separably securing the top members together, means mounted on the lower portion of each post for releasably engaging the proximate end portion of the adjacent stringer, said posts being located outwardly of the periphery of the pallet a bearing extension provided at the upper end of each post and projecting beyond the periphery of the pallet, and a bearing member provided at the lower end of each post for disposition beyond the periphery of the engaged pallet and being in axially parallel, aligned relationship with the bearing extension at the upper end of the related post for engagement upon the proximate bearing extension of an underlying frame whereby the adjacent posts will be in substantially axial alignment for effective load distribution.

4. A, tiering frame adapted for use with storage pallets having a plurality of spaced apart deckboards secured upon axially parallel stringers and comprising a pair of sections, each section comprising a pair of spaced posts and a top member interconnecting the tops of the posts, means separably securing the top members together, means mounted on the lower portion of each post for releasably engaging the proximate end portion of the adjacent stringer, said posts being located outwardly of the pallet periphery a bearing extension provided at the upper end of each post and projecting beyond the periphery of the engaged pallet, each bearing extension being axially perpendicular to the related post and being of annular cross section, a bearing member fixed at the lower end of each post for extension outwardly of the periphery of the engaged pallet, each bearing extension being axially parallel and in aligned relationship with the bearing extension at the upper end of the related post, each hearing member having a downwardly opening concave face formed on a greater radius than that of the cross section of the bearing extensions for engagement upon the proximate bearing extension of an underlying frame whereby the adjacent post will be in substantial axial alignment for effective load distribution.

5. A tiering frame adapted for use with storage pallets having a plurality of spaced apart deckboards secured upon axially parallel stringers and comprising a pair of sections, each section comprising a pair of spaced posts and a top member interconnecting the tops of the posts, means separably securing the top members together. a generally U-shaped bracket mounted on the lower portion of each post for releasably engaging the proximate end portion of the adjacent stringer, each U-shaped bracket comprising a web portion for disposition against the end face of the adjacent stringer and a pair of side plates for disposition on opposite sides of the adjacent stringer, said web and said side plates being of less height than the engaged stringer whereby the same are vertically shiftable thereon between the deckboards each of said posts of each section being resilient for expansive outwardly directed movement with respect to the top member for disposition outwardly of, and beyond, the periphery of the engaged pallet for presenting the associated bracket for retaining engagement with the stringer, a bearing extension provided at the upper end of each post for extension beyond the periphery of the pallet, and a downwardly opening bearing member having a slightly greater cross section than the cross section of the bearing extension at the upper end of the post, said bearing member being provided at the lower end of each post, spacedly beneath the associated bracket for projection outwardly beyond the periphery of the engaged pallet, said bearing extension and bearing member on each post being axially parallel and vertically aligned for engagement upon the proximate bearing extension of an underlying frame whereby the adjacent post will be in substantially axial alignment for effective load distribution.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 336,783 Bartholomew Feb. 23, 1886 925,293 Cheney June 15, 1909 1,260,566 Mathias Mar. 26, 1918 2,495,711 Fletcher Jan. 31, 1950 2,686,645 Whitehurst Aug. 17, 1954 2,704,194 Diamond Mar. 15, 1955 2,828,933 De Pew Apr. 1, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES National Pallets, advertisement, in Modern Materials Handling, Iuly 1949. (Copy in Div. 52.)

German application Ser. No. F15,031, printed June 7, V e f l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,942 826 June 28, 1960 Thomas N; De Pew et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the-printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 5, line 24, after "pallet" insert a comma; line 44, after "periphery" insert a comma; column 6, line 3 for "post" read posts line 35, after "engagement" insert of a bearing member line 36, for :"post" read posts Signed and sealed this 6th day of December 1960.

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H. AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Commissioner of Patents 7 Attesting Officer 

